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PHYTFIRE - Phytosanitary diagnostic, on-site detection and epidemiology tools for Erwinia amylovora

Collaborative Project



Coordinating institution: Research Station Agroscope Location Wädenswil

The project PHYTFIRE is aimed at the development, adaptation and application of innovative phytosanitary tools to fill fundamental research gaps in pathogen detection and epidemiology that will improve fire blight phytosanitary and control strategies. Data will be collected to advise Plant Protection Officer (PPO) in updating phytosanitary policies, exchange/training of scientists will build capacity within an Europe-wide PPO support structure, and active technology transfer/dissemination at national levels will improve stakeholder participation and approval of fire blight phytosanitary efforts. Building on monitoring strategies and technology developed in EUPHRESCO 'ErwinDect’ (final report), FP7 KBBE ‘Q-Detect’, and Interreg IV ‘Gemeinsam gegen Feuerbrand’ this project will provide data on spread and development of Erwinia amylovora in context of its environment. Recently published detection procedures will be evaluated and novel methods will be developed. Sampling in the experimental orchard “Kirschgartshausen” provides material from a defined fire blight setting for method control. Methods for epidemiological monitoring of pathogen populations in flowers, vectors and asymptomatic infections, and for pathogen genotyping will be developed. Monitoring methods will be evaluated for integration with fire blight forecasting models prognosis, for assessing fire blight treatments, and for plant inspection strategies. Deliverables are detailed for each Work Package (WP) below and include: Development of innovative methods (e.g., SNP genotyping, specific PCR for ‘new’ Erwinia spp.) Innovative adaptation of existing methods for phytosanitary applications (e.g., source-tracking, LAMP-PCR) Validation of methods for pathogen detection and monitoring Generation of new epidemiological data Training in fire blight diagnostics Briefing paper to assist PPOs in future optimization of phytosanitary strategies

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Collaborative Projects

Project management and coordination

Leading institution: Research Station Agroscope Location Wädenswil

Methods training and ring testing

Leading institution: Valencian Institute of agrarian research

Flower monitoring

Leading institution: Institute for Plant Protection in Fruit Crops and Viticulture - Fruit Cops

Research projects

Vector monitoring

Leading institution: Vienna University of Technology

Asymptomatic infections and environmental fitness

Leading institution: Valencian Institute of agrarian research

Source tracking

Leading institution: Research Station Agroscope Location Wädenswil

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